Some schools will make up snow days with at-home assignments

Friday

Aug 4, 2017 at 7:00 AM

THE ISSUE: Some schools are using at-home assignments to avoid making up snow days at the end of June.THE DETAILS: While Massachusetts has no formal policy, the state allows school districts to adopt their own remote learning programs.

Gerry Tuoti Wicked Local Newsbank Editor

Instead of having snow makeup days shorten their summer vacations, some schools are exploring new ways for students to learn at home.

One approach that’s been tried in a handful of school districts involves making up snow days by assigning projects for students to complete at home, instead of making up the snow day at the end of the school year.

“I think there’s certainly interest in it,” said Tom Scott, the executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents. “I think as some of the technology advances and opportunities to use technology exist, I think it’s more likely that more districts will pay attention to it.”

In Rhode Island, Gov. Gina Raimondo signed legislation into law July 20 that will allow schools to make up snow days by giving students assignments to be completed at home. Under the Rhode Island law, school districts that take that approach will need to develop and submit detailed plans, which will require state approval, according to our sister newspaper, the Providence Journal.

Massachusetts has no statewide policy on using at-home assignments to avoid making up snow days at the end of the school year. A handful of school districts, however, have piloted programs. The pre-planned snow day assignments are sometimes informally called “blizzard bags.”

Generally, the assignments have consisted of long-term projects that are not due immediately upon returning to school.

“In Massachusetts, we do not have a statewide ‘blizzard bag’ policy, but districts are free to pursue one if they so choose,” state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education spokeswoman Jacqueline Reis said in an email.

There are no current bills in Massachusetts that call for adopting a statewide policy on making up snow days.

Massachusetts school districts’ plans are subject to approval of the local school committee or charter board. The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has no role in approving “blizzard bag” policies, Reis said.

Wakefield schools are piloting the “Learn Anywhere Project,” which allows for students to continue learning at home when school is cancelled. The program also includes online high school elective courses and personalized summer learning opportunities.

Two years ago, when a series of blizzards threatened to push the school year to the end of June, Burlington became the first Massachusetts school district to pilot a blizzard bag policy. Assistant Superintendent Patrick Larkin said future use of the program will be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on the number of snow days.

“We felt we could probably do something equally as valuable or more valuable remotely than we could at the end of June, when kids are ready for summer and many schools are not air conditioned,” Larkin said. “This past year, we only had two snow days, so there wasn’t a necessity to do it.”

Since there is no physical bag of assignments sent home with kids, Burlington has shifted away from the term “blizzard bag.” Assignments, which typically involve long-term projects, are posted on a district website.

A core principle of the approach is that the snow day assignments will not be due the next school day. Some students may not have internet access at home. Others may need to help their families shovel, or care for younger siblings.

“Everyone’s personal obligations or family situations may be different,” Larkin said. “Assignments are not due the next day. We also still want kids to be able to enjoy snow days.”

The assignments count toward a student’s grade. Generally, students who don’t do the work will get a failing grade for the assignment, but will still end the school year on the same day as the rest of the school.

Scott said he expects more school districts will adopt remote learning programs for snow days.

“It’s been a little cautious on the part of school districts and the Department of Education on how to pursue this in a way that makes sure it’s a legitimate way to make up for the time that’s lost,” Scott said. “Districts are certainly looking at models, and there’s a lot of sharing of ideas that’s going on.”